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https://micivilwar.com/authors/piper-alanson-r/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Chancellorsville, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Campnear Falmouth Va
May 24th /63
Dear Parents
Yours of the 12th was duly
received and I was very glad to hear that you
all was well. I am well as usual. which is the best
of health. We have just came in off picket
and we had a pleasant time of it too
The weather is vary warm here now and also vary
dry. It would be a nice time for amove the roads
are in the best of order but this army has been
reduced down so much by those two year men
that we have but half of an army now
I don’t think our corps will have much fighting
to do this summer for it is so small it cant do
much our brigade has been detailed as railroad
guard and the colonel says that we will stay here
as long as we wish I would like stay here the remainder
of our time which will be a little over one year
One year ago to day the 4
th had their
first engagement with the enemy and anxise
time roll away so fast in my life as it has
for the past year. It seems but a month or so
since we had that fight and if time rolls by for
the year to come
[ ? ] bout of the service before
I know it I don’t know whether Ill be contented
to stay at home after my time is out or
not Ive got so us to an excited life I wont
know what to do to wear out itme without
something to excite my mind with once in
awhile. One thing I can do if the war
isent closed I can go back into the army
again. I don’t know what to think of our
army here it seems to be our fortune to get
defeated in evry move whether its with
mens not fighting good or in the g
[ ? ]
I know in the battle of Charlesvill it was
in the eleventh corps breaking and running
any giving the enemy forression of the
Gerdensvill road which was their only
hope of retreating that is the only time
I think that the men have been in
any ways to blame I wish that the fifth
corps had been in their place we would found
it their was a difference between dutch
and American
[ ? ]
Mother seems quite anxious about my
[ ? ] if I should be taken sick or wounded
the needent be afraid about that Ill write or get some one
to write for me and if I should get killed the capt
will write and let you know it
Hope you will have good health and prosper this
summer and next Ill try to be their and help you
alittle we haven’t been paid in sometime but
when we do get it it will be four months wages
I must close for it is getting
dark Please write soon
Your Son A R P
My love to all
[On Envelope:]
Mrs Abigal Piper
Palmyrd Lenawee
Co
Mich
